Barbara H. Wells

Barbara H. Wells

Concord, NH - Barbara H. Wells, age 85, longtime resident of Concord passed away peacefully on February 5, 2025, at The Birches of Concord.

Barbara was born in Colebrook, NH, daughter of the late Ned J. and Alta (Bailey) Kelsea. She was a 1961 graduate of the Concord Hospital School of Nursing and spent her entire career as a Registered Nurse in Concord Hospital's medical community. In 1986 she joined Concord Urology where she worked until her retirement in 2005.

Barbara was a proud native of NH's North Country and of having grown up in a farming community. Her childhood friends were lifelong friends and she always looked forward to her annual class reunion. She loved the outdoors and going for walks in the woods where she enjoyed her trees, wildflowers, and birds, and in her 40s she developed a passion for climbing mountains and became an avid hiker. Barbara had a green thumb and enjoyed cultivating house plants and working in her vegetable and flower gardens, and she had a creative side that she expressed through painting, sewing, quilting, braiding rugs, and other forms of handwork. She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing and dance to music, and she liked to cook and bake and was always exploring new recipes. She also liked to travel and learn about other cultures and religions. She was a curious soul and a lifelong learner who attended adult education classes well into her 80s.

Barbara raised her family in Pembroke, but moved to Antrim in 1991 where she lived for over 30 years. In retirement, she was active in Antrim's Senior Center and a regular at the Antrim Library.

Barbara always had a twinkle in her eye and was known for her smile and great sense of humor. A natural caretaker, she cared deeply for her family, friends and neighbors and found community wherever she went. She tucked many seniors and folks in need under her wing and looked after and advocated for many over the course of her life, right up to her final days.

Barbara is survived by her son Doug Wells and his wife Jane of Pembroke, NH; her daughter Diane Wells and her partner Chris Hovan of West Burke, VT; 6 grandchildren, Kristen Reynolds, Bruce Wells, Whitney Wells, Asa Njensohn, Christina Darling, and Tanya Tremblay; 6 great grandchildren; her sister Leone Brooks of Mystic, CT; and brother Donald Kelsea of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her son Daniel Wells, and her brother Lawrence Kelsea.

A Memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 13th at 11 AM in the Chapel of the Waters Funeral Home, 50 South Main Street, Concord.

Burial will be in the Spring at the Colebrook Village Cemetery.

In lieu of sending flowers, please honor Barbara by taking some time to check on your neighbor, calling an elderly friend or family member, or helping someone in your community who is in need.